Recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

I thank my colleague from New Hampshire (Ms. Shea-Porter) for yielding me time to speak.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 1089, recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 150th year of Augustana College, and I proudly introduce this resolution to highlight Augustana's long tradition of academic excellence and distinction.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College, in Rock Island, Illinois, has grown from a small school educating Swedish immigrants into one of our Nation's premier colleges of the liberal arts and sciences. Today, with over 75 fields of discipline, Augustana, popularly known as Augie, provides a rich liberal arts environment for a diverse student body of over 2,500 students.

Mr. Speaker, at Augustana, students enter to learn and leave to serve. Throughout its 150 years, Augustana College has remained committed to educating its students for a rewarding life of leadership and service in a diverse and changing world. Augie alumni have gone on to achieve success in diverse fields, and graduates include a Nobel Peace Prize winner, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and Members of Congress, most notably my predecessor and my good friend, Representative Lane Evans.

Beyond the classroom, Augustana has established itself as a top athletic program with 37 NCAA Division III national titles in six sports and has produced 131 academic All-American athletes, the sixth highest number of honorees among all schools in our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, in addition, Augie has partnered with the community to promote economic development in the Quad Cities region, and Augustana has an estimated impact of $75 million on our local economy.

Mr. Speaker, the ongoing success of Augustana can be directly attributed to the quality of the leadership of the college. Under the direction of President Steve Bahls, Augustana has positioned itself to be a flagship college in my district and in the State of Illinois. Also, President Bahls has led efforts to respond to students' immediate needs during the economic downturn. He has made a commitment to help any student at risk of dropping out because of financial difficulties through the creation of the Immediate Scholarship Support Fund, substantial investments in financial aid, and tuition cost control.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I congratulate Augustana College on the historic occasion of its 150th anniversary, and I wish the college, its students, and the faculty continued success.

I would like to thank the entire Illinois delegation for joining me to celebrate Augustana College's 150th year, and I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1089.

Madam Speaker, unfortunately, I missed the following recorded votes on the House floor the week of Monday, March 15, 2010.

For Monday, March 15, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 112 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1145), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 113 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1170), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 114 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1163), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 115 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 267).

For Tuesday, March 16, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 116 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4628), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 117 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 311), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 118 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 605), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 119 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1128).

For Wednesday, March 17, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 120 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1089), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 121 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1167), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 122 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1184), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 123 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1141), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 124 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to S. 1147), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 125 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3954), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 126 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 946), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 127 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 4825).

For Thursday, March 18, 2010, had I been present I would have voted ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 131 (on motion to refer H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``no'' on rollcall vote No. 132 (on motion to table H. Res. 1193, raising a question of the privileges of the House), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 133 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3542), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 134 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H.R. 3509), ``aye'' on rollcall vote No. 135 (on motion to suspend the rules and agree to H. Res. 1173).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I appreciate my friend from Illinois bringing this resolution forward, and I rise today in support of this House Resolution 1089, recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College.

Augustana College was founded by Swedish Lutheran settlers in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Rock Island, Illinois, in 1875. Augustana College has grown from a small school educating Swedish immigrants to a highly selective college of liberal arts and sciences. Today, Augustana College serves 2,500 students from various geographic, social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.

Students at Augustana receive a personalized liberal arts and science education with a 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Most of Augustana's students are actively involved in a large variety of groups and activities, including performing arts, debate, publications, social and service organizations.

Augustana has been recognized nationwide for its excellent academics. The Carnegie Foundation has classified the college as an Arts and Science plus Professions institution. Students accepted to Augustana are typically from the top quarter of their high school class and have notable academic histories.

The Augustana Vikings compete in the NCAA Division III athletics in 20 intercollegiate sports and also participate in numerous club and intramural sports. The Vikings have won four team NCAA national championships and 21 individual NCAA national championships.

Augustana College students have excelled in academics, athletics, and all areas of collegiate life. I congratulate Augustana College and the students, faculty, staff, and alumni for 150 years of excellence in education.

I congratulate my colleague on this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1089.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1089) recognizing the 150th anniversary of Augustana College, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 1089 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hare).

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.